Hope in the Storm – a November extra: A Seat at the Table

 Here is the November entry for Hope in the Storm – A Maple Lane Mystery, focused on gratitude, remembrance, and quiet strength during the season of thanks:

Hope in the Storm – November: A Seat at the Table

Thanksgiving in Maplewood was always a grand affair. From pie contests at Faithful on Maple Lane to the town-wide potluck hosted at the Rec Center, the whole community came together to share food and stories. But for Lydia Harper, this year felt different.

It was the second Thanksgiving without her husband, and while her sister Clara’s famous apple pie was still the talk of the town, Lydia found it hard to enjoy things like she used to. She had volunteered to help decorate the potluck tables with handcrafted centerpieces, but each cornucopia seemed to whisper memories of what she’d lost.

Elsewhere, Aimee Little noticed one of the town’s seniors, Mr. Ernest Bell, lingering at the edge of events, always smiling politely but never quite sitting down. When she asked him why, he shrugged: “I just don’t want to be in the way.”

Determined not to let anyone feel like a burden, Aimee rallied Sheriff Grady, Pastor Joe, and a few neighborhood kids to make space—literally and emotionally. They added a new table with handmade place cards for people who weren’t sure they belonged. They called it the “Just in Case” table.

That one act brought Ernest to tears. “No one’s ever made me a place just because they hoped I’d come.”

As Lydia watched the gathering from the back of the room, something within her softened. She took a deep breath, walked over to the “Just in Case” table, and took a seat beside Ernest.

Scripture Reflection:

Psalm 68:6 (NLT)
"God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy."

Journal Prompt:

Who in your life might need a “just in case” seat this season? How can you offer a space where someone feels they truly belong?

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